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Because tattoos are meant to be permanent, removing them presents quite a challenge. Physicians have tried many removal techniques in the past, but laser surgery is now considered the gold standard. Recent advances in laser technology have increased both the safety and effectiveness of this method of tattoo removal.
Lasers Break Down Tattoo InkLasers use extremely intense pulses of light to vaporize the pigments in the tattoo. Once broken down, the pigments become absorbed into the body through the lymphatic system (the body’s natural filtering system), and the tattoo gradually fades.
Different lasers are used for different pigment colors. To minimize scarring, most dermatologists prefer lasers with very short pulse durations. To further protect the skin the treatment is usually done incrementally over a number of sessions.
Some tattoos are easier to remove with lasers than others. Professionally-performed tattoos tend to be harder than those applied by amateurs. Certain pigments are also easier to dissolve than others. In general, black, red and dark blue respond better to removal techniques than green, orange, and light blue.
In addition, tattoos on areas of thin skin—like the ankle and the finger—are more difficult to remove than those on thick-skinned areas, like the abdomen. So are those on darker skin. Older tattoos that have migrated from their original site and become blurred can also be particularly difficult to remove entirely.
Cost to Remove a TattooThe cost of tattoo removal depends on the complexity of the tattoo and the number of laser treatments required—factors that in turn depend on such things as the tattoo’s size, age, type, depth, and location on the body. Total cost can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Most physicians have payment plans that can help you spread out the cost.Visit our Tattoo Removal Cost page to learn more.
Insurance CoverageUnfortunately, medical insurance does not usually cover the cost of tattoo removal as it’s considered an elective cosmetic procedure. The removal of traumatic tattoos (those resulting from the embedded debris of an accident) is the exception. Some decorative tattoos that are causing medical problems may also be covered. So be sure to talk with your physician and your insurance company. |